Artificial limb



Nov. 30 1926.

F. H. APEL ARTIFICIAL LIMB Filed August 21, 1924 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 F. H. APEL Nov. 30 1926.

ARTIFICIAL LIME Filed August 21, 1924 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Nov. '30 1926. 1,608,689

v F. H. APEL ARTIFICIAL LIMB Filed August 21, 1924 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 1 .5.

Patented Nov. 30, 1926.

UNITED STATES PATENT, OFFICE.

ATHOL SPRINGS, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO LIVINGSTON l ARTIFICIAL LIMB COMPANY, OF NEW YORK,

N. Y., LA CORPORATION OF DELAWARE.

ARTIFICIAL LIMB.

Application filed August 21, 1924.

This invention relates to an artificial limb and more particularly to an article of this,

character which is intended to be applied to the stump of an arm and serve as a substitute for a hand, the several parts of which are so organized as to permit of simulating the usual functions of the wrist, palm, fingers and thumb of the hand.

It is the ob'ect of this invention to produce an arti cial limb of this character whereby the movements of the several members are effected by means which are of simpler construction, more easily operated and have not only a greater capacity for holding various articles but are also more natural in appearance and therefore conceal to a greater extent that the hand is not real.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1, is a vertical longitudinal section of an artificial hand embodying my invention.

Figure 2, is an elevation, partly in section, of the artificial limb viewed from the palm side of the hand.

Figure 3, is a fragmentary view similar to Figure 1, but showing one of the fingers in a closed or folded position relative to the palm.

Figure 4, is a fragmentary perspective view showing the manner in which a ncil or like object is grasped between the t umb and the fingers of the hand in accordance with my invention.

igure 5, is a vertical transverse section of the joint between the wrist and palm similar to the lower part ofFigure 2, but in a different position.

Figure 6, is a vertical section taken on line 6-6, Figure 5.

Figure 7, isga horizontal section taken on the correspondingly numbered line in Figure 1 Similar characters of reference indicate like parts in the several figures of the drawings:

In its general organization this artificial limb comprises a hollow wrist 10 which may be attached to the stump of the arm in any suitable manner, a hollow palm 12 which is pivotally connected with the wrist, a plurality of articulated fingers 11 mounted. on the front end of the palm so as to be capable of folding inwardly and unfolding outwardly relatively thereto, and a thumb 13 pivotally mounted on one side of the palm.

Serial No. 733,831.

The several members are made of any suitable material, preferably metal, and covered in any approved manner.

The wrist and palm are adjustably connected so that the palm may be tilted or turned relatively to the wrist, the means or this purpose shown in the drawings being constructed as follows: The numeral 14 represents a hollow spherical socket arranged at the front end of the wrist and 15 a hollow ball arranged on the rear end of the palm and rotatable to a limited extent in all directions on the interior of the spherical socket. On its inner side this socket is provided with a plurality of longitudinal grooves 16 which are arranged in a circumferential row extending latitudinally around the socket. Arranged in line with each of these grooves and extending from the bottom of the same to the periphery of the socket is a longitudinal row 0 locking openings 17. The numeral 18 represents the inner arm of a U-shaped locking lever or latch which is arranged within the hollow ball and 19 the outer arm of the same which extends from the upper end of the inner arm outwardly through an opening 20 in the palm and rearwardly along the outer side. of the socket. This lever is pivoted at the outer ends of its arms to the inner side of the ball adjacent to the palm by a pivot screw or in 21 mounted transversely on the ball an palm and passing through a hub 22 on this lever so that the arms of the same are movable radially toward and from the peripheries of the ball and socket. The inner arm of the locking lever is arranged in a longitudinal guide slot 23 in the ball and provided at its extremity with one or more teeth 24, preferably three, which are adapted to engage with one or another of the openings in the several rows on the socket for the purpose of locking the palm in whatever position the same may be turned relatively to the wrist. This locking lever is yieldingly held in its outward or operative position by a spring having a coil 25 surrounding the pivot pin 21 and having the arms 26 at its oppositeends for engaging the palm 12 and the lever 18.

When it is desired to adjust the palm on the wrist the outer arm 19 of the locking lever is pres3ed inwardly so as to disengage its toothed inner armfrom the respective looking openings of the socket and then the ball and palm are turned into the desired position relatively to the wrist. If it is only desired to tilt the palm at a dilferei t angle relatively to the wristthe' locking lever need only to be pressed inwardly sufliciently to disengage its teeth from the respective locking lever is pressed inwardly sufliciently to disengage the same from the respective locking openings and then engaged with the desired groove and the companion locking openings thereof for holding the palm in this changed position.

Obviously therefore, by means of these two directions in which the palm may be shifted relatively to the wrist, it is possible to obtain substantially universal adjustment of the palm relative to the wrist and thus place the hand in whatever position is best suited for any particular requirements. The outer side of the outer arm of this locking lever is preferably provided with a covering 27 of serrated rubber, or the like, in order to prevent the same from slipping when engaged by the other hand or object which is utilized for operating the wrist and palm adjusting device.

All the fingers and their operating mechanism are identical in construction and the following description ofone will there apply to all of them The, numeral 28 represents the inner or first finger section which is pivotally connected at its rear end with the front end of the palm so as to be capable of swinging inwardly and outwardly relatively thereto, this pivotal connection being preferably effected by a pivot rod 29 extending through the inner parts of the several inner finger sections and supported between these sections by brackets 30 on the palm while its opposite ends are supported on the sides of the palm, as shown in Figures 1 and 2. The second or intermediate section 31 of each finger is pivotally connected by a pin 32, or otherwise, at its innertend with the outer end of therespective inner section, and the outer or third section 33 of the finger is pivotally connected with the outer end of the intermediate section by a-pin 34, or the like.

The first or inner finger section may be turned about the pivot rod 29, the second finger section may be turned on the first finger section, and the third finger section on the second finger section by a lever link 35 pivotally connected at. its inner end by a pivot 12?) with the front end of the palm outside of the pin 29, and pivotally near its front end by a pin 36 with the second finger section inside of the nivot 32, and an outer link 37 pivotally connected by a pin 38 with the outer end of the lever link and pivotally connected at its outer end with the third finger section by a pin 39 inside of the axis of the latter, as shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3. Upon rocking the inner or firstfinger section on the palm the linkage connecting the several finger sections with the palm will cause tllOTC sections to unfold or open into the position shown in Figures 1 and 2, when the first section is swung outwardly, and these several finger sections to fold or close relatively to each other and the palm when the first finger section is swung inwardly, as shown in Figure 3. Thezite finger sections are yieldingly held in their closed or folded position by a spring having a coil 40 surrounding the pivot pin "29 and having arms 41, 42 at its opposite ends engaging with an abutment 142 on the first finger tection and an abutment arranged on the palm and consisting in the present instance of a rod 4-3 extending across the palm and supported on the sides thereof and on said brackets 30. The unfolding or opening of the finger Lections and the locking of the same in position is elfected by a shifting or adjusting bar 44 arranged lengthwise in the first and second finger sections and in the palm and piv-v otally connected at its outer end with the lever link, preferably by mounting this bar on the pin 36. and provided on the outer longitudinal edge of its inner part with a longitudinal row of ratchet teeth 45, a ratchet segment 46 surrounding the pivot rod 29 and connected by a pin 47 or otherwise with the'adjacent part of the inner finger section so as to be compelled to turn therewith, a spring which operates to turn the adjusting bar toward said ratchet segment and holds the ratchet teeth of said bar yieldingly in engagement with those of said segment, said spring having a coil 48 surrounding the pivot pin 36 and having it: opposite ends connected with the lever link and said adjusting bar, and an operating line 49 passing over a guide pulley 50 on the rod 43 and having one stretch connected with the inner end of the adjusting bar whileits other stretch passes through an opening 51' in the palm to the exterior thereof so that the same can be manipulated as desired.

Normally each finger is held closed by its spring 40 and is locked againstopening by the locking bar 44 engaging the locking segment 46. To use this finger the same is first opened, this being done by pulling on the line 49. The first part of this pull disengages the lockin bar from the segment and the further ul on the same unfolds the finger. The nger is now placed adjacent to the object to be grasped and then the pull on the line is released which permits the spring 40 to close the finger until it bears against the ob'ect. During this time the locking bar sli es over the ratchet segment as far as the closing movement of the finger permits and in whatever position the finger comes to rest it is locked in this position and holds the object by reason of the locking bar being held in engagement with the locking segment by the spring 48.

The thumb 13 comprises an inner section 52 which is pivotally connected b a pin 53 with the rear part of one side 0 the palm and an outer section 54 pivotally connected by a pin 55 with the inner section so that these sections are capable of being folded inwardly and unfolded outwardly relatively to the alm. The inner thumb section is yielding y held in its open or unfolded position by a spring 56 having its 0011 around the pin 53 and its ends engaging respectively with the inner thumb section and the palm, as shown in Figures 1 and 4. The outer thumb section is folded or closed when the inner thumb section is opened, as shown in Figure 1, and the same is unfolded or opened when the inner thumb section is folded or closed, as shown in Figure 4, by

means of a shifting'link 57 pivotall connected at its inner end by a pin 58 wlth the palm inside of the ivotal connection between the inner thumb section and the palm, while the outer end of this link is connected by a pivot in 59 with the outer thumb section beyond the pivotal connection between the outer and inner thumb sections.

The inner thumb section ma be locked in a more or less inwardly folde or closed position by means of an angular latch, catch or lockin lever having an upper transverse arm 60 w ich is pivoted at its outer end on the shifting'link 57 by means of a pin 61, and a lower longitudinal arm 62 projecting from the inner end of said up er arm longitudinally rearward and lat-era ly through an opening 63 in the lower art of the aim, a p urality of hooks or teet 1 64 adapte to enage an abutment on the palm having the form of a pin 65, and a spring 66 connecting said latch and inner thumb section and oper ating to hold the toothed inner arm of said latch yieldingly in engagement with said abutment. The teeth of the latch are inclined outwardly so that upon pressing the inner thumb section inwardly the same will trip with one of its hooks or teeth after another over the abutment and when this inward pressure against the thumb ceases the same will be held by the latch in whatever position the same may be in. Upon pressing inwardly against the longitudinal arm of the angular latch the same is disengaged from the abutments65'and this ermits the same to be swung outwardly mto its open or unfolded position. i

he fingers and thumb are by the means above described capable of being closed more or less and thus adapt themselves to various shapes of articles for securely holdin the same.

cans are provided for enabling a encil or similar article to be securely he d be tween the tip or outer section of the thumb and the tips or outer sections of the fingers and permit of writing with the same in a manner closely resembling the operation of a natural han For this purpose an abutment or sto 67 is mounted on t e tip or outer section oi the thumb so as to be capable of projecting into an operative position from the inner side thereof and to be retracted within this side. In the referred gonstruction this abutment forms t e upper arm of a lever which is arranged lengt wise in the outer end of the hollow tip or outer section of the thumb and pivotally mounted thereon by a transverse pin 68 and a spring 69 is provided which turns this lever and holds the same yieldingly in the position in which this abutment projects laterally from the inner side of the thumb tip. The movement of the abutment lever in this direction is limited by engagement of its lower arm 72 engaging with the inner side of the thumb tip. hen it is desired to hold a pencil or the like the tip or outer section of the middle or second finlger is folded against this abutment and rmly held by the same against further backward movement along the thumb. The pencil, pen or similar article 70 is then placed along the outer end of the thumb and that side of the middle finger which faces toward the first finger, and then the first finger is folded and 1ts ti or outer section engaged with that side 0 the pen or the like opposite where the latter is engaged by the second finger, as shown in Figure 4, thereby producing a three point gri on the pencil and h oldlng it securely while the same is used for writing, and also permitting other like functions to be performed with ease and facility. Release of the pencil or other tool is effected byvsimply dlsengaging the finger and thumb from the same. Upon pressing the inner side of the thumb tip or outer section against an object when not holding a pencil the abutment simply recedes within the tip and does not interfere with its use.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that in this artificial hand the palm, fingers and thumb can be easily and conveniently shifted into various positions at will and thus render the Same less conspicuous and -le:s embarrassing to the person using the same and also enabling the same to be used to .a considerable extent for pr'actical purposes and to simulate the movements and positions of a natural hand.

I claim as my invention 1. An artificial limb comprising a palm, a wrist, and means for adjustably connecting said palm and wrist comprising a sphericalsocket member, a spherical ball member turnable in said socket, one of said members being connected with the wrist and the other with the palm, said socket being provided with a longitudinal row of openings, and a locking device mounted on said ball and adapted. to engage with one or another of said openings. f.

2. An artificial limb comprising a palm, a wrist, and means for adjustablv connecting said palm and wrist comprising a spherical socket member. a spherical ball 'm'ember turnable in said socketfone of said members being connected with the wrist and the other with the palm, said socket being provided with a plurality of longitudinal rows of o enings arranged at different points latitudmally thereof, and a locking device mounted on the ball and adapted to engage with one or another of said openings.

3. An artificial limb comprising a palm, a wrist, and means for adjustablv connecting said palm and wrist comprising a spherical socket member, a spherical ball member turnable in said socket. one of said members being connected with the Wrist and the other being connected with the wrist and the other with the palm, and a locking device compris ng a lever pivoted on one of said members and having an inner arm adapted to hold said ball and socket against relative movement and an outer arm adapted to be manipulated.

5. An artificial limb comprising a palm, a wrist, and means for adjustably connecting csaid palm and wrist comprising a spherical socket member, a spherical ball member turnable 1n said socket, one of said members being connected with the wrist and the other with the palm, and a locking device comprising a U-shaped lever pivoted on said ball and having .an inner arm arranged Within the ball and adapted to pass outwardly through said ball and socketfor holding the same against relative movement and an outer arm arranged outside of the socket and adapted to be manipulated;

6. An art ficial limb comprising a palm, a wrist, and means for adjustably connecting said-palm and wrist comprising a spherical socket member, a spherical ball member turnable in said socket. one of said members being connected with the wrist and vice comprisinga U-shaped lever pivotedon sad ball and having an inner arm arranged within the ball and adapted to pass outwardly through said ball and socket for holding the same against relative movement and an outer arm arranged outside f the socket and adapted to be manipulated and a spring for yieldingly holding said lever in its operative position. a

7. An artificial limb comprising a wrist, a palm, and means for adjustably connectin said wrist and palm comprising a spherica socket arranged on the wrist and having a plurality of longitudinal rows of openin 3 arranged at different points latitudinally thereof, a ball mounted on the wrist and rotatable within said socket and having a longitudinal slot, a locking lever pivoted within said wrist and having an inner arm arranged within said ball and provided with a toothed extremity which is guided in said slot and adapted to engagewith one or another of said openings in the socket and an outer arm arranged adjacent to the periphery of said socket,and a spring operating to hold said locking lever yieldingly in its operative posit on.

8. An artificial limb comprising a palm, an inner finger section pivoted to the palm, an intermediate finger section pivoted to the inner finger section, a link pivotally connected at its outer end with said intermediate finger section and pivotally connected at its inner end with the palm at, a point adjacent to the pivotal connection between 'said palm and inner finger section, a ratchet segment connected with the inner finger section and arranged around the pivotal connection between said palm and inner finger section, and an adjusting bar pivotally connected at its outer end with said intermediate finger section and provided on its inner part with ratchet teeth adapted to engage with said ratchet segment.

9. 'An artificial limb comprising apalm, an inner finger section pivoted to the palm, an intermediate finger section pivoted to the inner finger section, a link pivotally connected at its outer end with said intermedi ate finger section and pivotally connected at its inner end with the palm at a point adjacent to. the pivotal connection between said palm and inner finger section, a ratchet segment connected with the inner finger seetion and arranged around the pivotal connection between said palm and inner finger section, an adjusting bar pivotally connected at its outer end with said intermediate finger section and provided on its inner part with ratchet teeth adapted to engage with said ratchet segment and an operating line connected with said adjusting bar.

10. An artificial limb comprising a palm, an inner finger section pivoted to the palm, an intermediate finger section, pivoted to the inner finger section, a link pivotally connected atits outer end with said intermediate finger section and pivotally connected at its inner end with the palm at a point adjacent to the pivotal connection between said palm and inner finger section, a ratchet segment connected with the inner finger section and arranged around the pivotal connection between said palm and inner finger section, an adjusting bar pivotally connected at its outer end with said intermediate finger section and provided on its inner part with ratchet teeth adapted to engage with said ratchet segment and spring for yieldingly holding said inner finger section yieldingly in its closed position.

11. An artificial limb comprising a palm, an inner finger section pivoted to the palm, an intermediate finger section pivoted to the Inner finger section, a link pivotally connected at its outer end with said intermediate finger section and pivotally connected at its inner end with the palm at a point adjacent to the pivotal connection between said palm and inner finger section, a ratchet segment connected with the inner finger section and arranged around the pivotal connection between said palm and inner finger section, an adjusting bar pivotally connected at its outer end with said intermediate finger section and provided on its inner part with ratchetteeth adapted to engage with said ratchet segment and a spring for yieldingly holding the toothed part of said adjustlng bar in engagement with said ratchet segment.

12. An artificial limb comprising a palm, an inner thumb section pivoted to said palm, an outer thumb section pivoted to the inner thumb section, a link pivotally connected at one end with the outer thumb section and pivoted at its inner end on said palm, a

- an outer thumb catch having an inner arm pivoted on said link and provided with locking teeth and an outer arm passing through said palm to the exterior thereof, and an abutment arranged on said palm and adapted to be engaged by the teeth on the inner arm of said catch.

13. An artificial limb comprising a palm, an inner thumb section pivoted to said palm, section pivoted to the inner a link pivotally connected at one end with the outer thumb section and pivoted atits inner end on said palm, a catch having an inner arm pivoted on said link and provided with looking teeth and an outer arm passing through said palm to thumb section.

the exterior thereof, an abutment arranged on said palm and adapted to be engaged by the teeth on the inner arm of said catch and a spring operating to yieldingly hold said inner thumb section in its open position.

14. An artificial limb comprising a palm, an inner thumb section pivoted to said palm, an outer thumb section pivoted to the inner thumb section, a link pivotally connected at one end with the outer thumb section and pivoted at its inner end on said palm, a catch having an inner arm pivoted on said link and provided with locking teeth and an outer arm passing through said palm, to the exterior thereof, an abutment arranged on said palm and adapted to be engaged by the teeth on the inner arm of said catch and a spring for holding said catch yieldingly in engagement with said abutment.

15. An'artificial limb comprising a palm, a plurality of fingers pivoted on the palm, a thumb pivoted on the palm, and an abutment movably mounted on the outer part of said thumb and adapted to be engaged by one of said fingers for stopping the inward movement of the latter thereon.

16. An artificial limb comprising a palm, a plurality of lingers pivoted on the palm, a thumb pivoted on the palm, an abutment pivotally mounted on the thumb, and adapted to be projected therefrom in a position to be engaged by one of said fingers for stepping the inward movement of the latter thereon when the same are engaged, and a spring for yieldingly holding said abutment in its operative position.

FREDERICK H. APEL. 

